Normal and Inflammatory Human Dental Pulp: a Morphohistochemical Approach

Objective:The aim of this studywas to characterize the structure of normal and inflammed pulpal connective tissue on samples of human dental pulp and recently extracted teeth. Materials andMethods:Morphological and histochemical stainingmethodswere used in order to reveal the particular cell types and fibers present in dental pulp, in normal and inflammatory conditions. Results: In the pathological pulp tissuewe demonstrated the presence ofmast cells, deposits of glycosaminoglycans, the absence of elastic fibers, andmassive deposition of calcium carbonate and phosphate, disposed in three patterns:massive and compact, linear, and fine granular. Discussions and Conclusions:One particular aspect is represented by the vascular proliferation around nerve fibers, an aspect that is similar to that of the angiogenesis model, especially in areaswith abundant inflammatory infiltrate. The phenotype of pulpal cells is still amatter of controversy.